I do not know whether that is what happened to the baroness at first, but it has always seemed strange to me that she should have given herself so much trouble to secure Nino, unless she had a very strong fancy for him.

I, for my part, think that when a lady of her condition takes such a sudden caprice into her head, she thinks it necessary to maltreat the poor man a little at first, just to satisfy her conscience, and to be able to say later that she did not encourage him.

I have had some experience, as everybody is aware, and so I may speak boldly.

On the other hand, a man like Nino, when he is in love, is absolutely blind to other women.
There is only one idea in his soul that has any life, and everyone outside that idea is only so much landscape; they are no better for him--the other women--than a museum of wax dolls.
The baroness, as you have seen, had Nino in her power, and there was nothing for it but submission; he came and went at her bidding, and often she would send for him when he least expected it.

He would do as she commanded, somewhat sullenly and with a bad grace, but obediently, for all that; she had his destiny in her hands, and could in a moment frustrate all his hopes.